April 8, 2021
Higher Education a wise choice
April 8, 2021 — HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers
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Ready. Set. Joe’S G
et ready to take on today’s challenges at St. Joseph’s College (SJC). Committed to the health and well-being of the entire SJC community, we are closely following all guidelines to provide a safe and secure environment in which to learn. Despite these challenging times, SJC students receive the personal attention needed to be ready to go further, whatever tomorrow brings. Our multifaceted approach to classes — with in-person, remote, hybrid and online learning options — provides students with an award-winning education that stays true to our founding core values: integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. SJC faculty have been instructing online courses for more than 20 years, and the current approach being offered at SJC gives students the flexibility they desire, allowing them to create schedules that include both in-person and remote learning. Course Offerings SJC offers degrees in more than 50 majors, course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs for over 5,000 undergraduate, graduate and adult professional students. With affordable tuition rates, the College also provides generous transfer credits, scholarship opportunities and financial aid so students who attend SJC can stay close to home, stay safe and stay on course with their educational goals. With strong retention rates, SJC students graduate on time, with minimal debt, ready to enter the world poised for lives of purpose and achievement. Leading by Example Consistently named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Universities in the North, students choose SJC for its small class sizes, vibrant student life and commitment to compassionate service to others. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from engaged faculty who serve as mentors and valued advisers. With one of the lowest tuition rates of independent colleges and universities in the New York metropolitan area, students earn a high-quality education while remaining close to home. Acknowledging the many challenges
that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for students and families, SJC froze tuition rates last spring for the current academic year and created an emergency fund for students experiencing financial hardship. In addition, the College increased the amount of emergency financial aid disbursed for current students. With the extreme circumstances facing high school students and the cancelation of SAT and ACT exams,
Our History Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1916, SJC provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels rooted in a liberal arts tradition that supports provision for career preparation and enhancement. With more than 43,000 alumni, SJC is known for its commitment to excellence in academic and co-curricular programs, and its inclusive community focused on individual development, professional success and service to society.
Patchogue and Online, SJC offers something for everyone. SJC Brooklyn is at the center of one of the nation’s most vibrant cities. The campus features the Dillon Child Study Center and the Hill Center with a 270-seat, NCAA-regulation basketball and volleyball court. SJC Brooklyn also offers off-campus housing for students at the St. George/Clark Residence. SJC Long Island is located on a 32-acre lakeside campus in Patchogue with campus amenities that include the Clare Rose Playhouse, Callahan Library, John A. Danzi Athletic Center and a state-of-the-art 24.8-acre outdoor field complex that is home to several NCAA Division III teams. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs,” SJC Online — the College’s fully online campus — offers more than 25 online degree programs.
Our Campuses With three campuses in Brooklyn,
SJC Military and Veteran Affairs A proud participant in the Post-9/11
a test-optional policy was implemented for first-year applicants applying for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 admissions, and has been extended an additional year, for students applying for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 terms.
GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, SJC is continually recognized as a Military Friendly School and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report and Military Times for its commitment to America’s veterans and active military. As part of the College’s participation in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program, financial support for education and housing is offered to military veterans and SJC offers credit for military training and experience. Discover Your Future at SJC Learn all that SJC offers by visiting sjcny. edu.
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HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers — April 8, 2021
Ready Read to Make Make an Impa Impact. Stay Stay close, stay safe andclose, stay onon course: course:
stay
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• Hybrid • course Hybrid offerings that course offerin include include on-campus classes with on-campus c proper safety proper protocols, as well as safety protoc remote remote and online classes. and online cl
• Affordable • Affordable tuition, generous tuition, g financialfinancial aid and scholarship aid and sch opportunities. opportunities.
• Generous • Generous and flexible transfer and flexibl credit policies. credit policies.
• Personal, • Personal, one-on-one guidance one-on-on from experienced from faculty, advisers experienced fa and staff. and staff.
Learn Learn more or apply apply at sjcny.edu.
more or at sjcny.e 1124987
April 8, 2021 — HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers
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advertorial
M
Molloy College’s Virtual open House set for april 18
olloy’s open house will take place virtually on April 18 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Following a welcome by the College’s new president, Dr. James Lentini, prospective students will have the option to choose from a variety of sessions. Each session will be offered multiple times that day. “Molloy’s open house was designed to give prospective students the important information they need before choosing a college,” said Linda Albanese, the College’s vice president for enrollment management. “That’s why we created a number of breakout sessions on different topics with Q&A options available for each one.” “One of the most important things you can do at any open house is ask questions. This is your opportunity to get the information you need.” —Linda Albanese, Vice President for Enrollment Management Open house topics that will be covered include academics, admissions, student life, athletics, residence halls, financial aid and graduate assistantships. Molloy will also offer Transfer Tuesday and Freshman Welcome Wednesday, as well as graduate and adult learners information sessions throughout the spring semester. There are also in-person tours that can be scheduled at https://admissions.molloy.edu/portal/ campus-tour “We are dedicated to providing our students with the best possible value. If you come to Molloy, you graduate with a job in your field at a salary that’s significantly higher than average.” —Dr. James Lentini President, Molloy College Academic Programs That Fuel Careers Molloy students can earn degrees in a variety of outstanding academic programs (including nursing, business, education,
a passion. The College’s graduate programs include a variety of M.B.A. options, as well as programs in clinical mental health counseling, criminal justice, music therapy, speech-language pathology, education and nursing.
social work, music therapy, computer studies and many more) that lead to rich and rewarding careers. Additionally, Molloy offers a variety of graduate and doctoral programs that provide the opportunity for students to further enhance their career or take a new direction while pursuing
What’s New Molloy, home to approximately 4,800 undergraduate and graduate students, continues to expand its flexible learning options for many of its programs, so that students can take night, weekend, hybrid or online classes. Some of Molloy’s newer offerings include an online M.B.A., as well as
open House: sunDay, april 18 at 1 pM Via ZooM
a new degree completion program that will enable returning students to easily complete their undergraduate degree. Molloy recently launched The Experiential Academy. This two-year program enables students to fulfill their entire general education requirements through hands-on, active, in-the-world learning. A unique opportunity, this program meets only one day a week on campus and uses online modules and assignments to create flexibility in the learning environment. At the end of two years, students will have completed an associate degree and have the opportunity to transition into most majors at the College.
Visit molloy.edu to learn more.
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HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers — April 8, 2021
MOLLOY
IS THE
RIGHT COLLEGE. So many choices
RIGHT
NOW.
It all starts with the list Here are things you can do to expand your college search list. Ignore geography This means both location, such as state, and place, such as rural. There are a lot of preconceived notions about colleges based on geography alone. Ultimately, geography may be an important consideration for narrowing your list of colleges. But by keeping geography out of the equation to begin with, you may discover other factors that more than make up for being in a place you had thought was less than desirable. Don’t use rankings to keep colleges off your list Rankings are arbitrary, one person’s top ten may not make it to another person’s top 50. If and when you do use rankings to narrow your college search list, be sure to understand the basis for the rankings. Look at net cost rather than tuition Few people pay full price. You can get an even better idea of net cost by income level by using the college navigator on college search sites. Make sure you have already calculated an estimated EFC and use the colleges’ net price calculators.
One of the nation’s top values in higher education, Molloy is close to home but far from ordinary. With career-focused programs, real-world connections and personal guidance, we’re open and here for you – in person or online – for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
MOLLOY COLLEGE. THE RIGHT CHOICE. RIGHT NOW.
Don’t use college size in making your preliminary list This is another area where many students have assumptions that they haven’t really tested. Also, it’s simply a matter of numbers since there are just a lot more smaller colleges than bigger ones. Begin by looking at the percentage of classes by class size or the number or type of classes available for specific majors.
Virtual Open House Sunday, April 18 at 1PM
Molloy.edu/OpenHouse
Above photo: With so many facets to the college application process, it can be difficult for students and their families to even know where or how to begin. A good starting point — and one of the most important pieces of the application process — is formulating a balanced college list.
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If you want to make a better college search list, don’t limit your potential list of colleges to just schools you have heard of. There are over 1,500 four-year U.S. colleges — there is no reason to start off with a short list of five institutions. Having a larger list of colleges opens up opportunities you haven’t even considered at prices you didn’t think possible. Now your college search list is not the same thing as your college application list where five schools is a very reasonable number. The college search list should contain at least 20 schools, more if you have the time to research them. A good search list will include colleges that you haven’t considered or heard of before you started creating the search list. This is the time to be open to new ideas. Pick or imagine your ideal school in every aspect. Go all out and assume you have a full scholarship to attend. Next, start playing “what if” with the characteristics of this dream school. Would you go if it were 500 miles away? What if it is was significantly smaller than you wanted? Or maybe it doesn’t have the big time college sports you’re looking for? If just one of these factors was missing, would you still attend if you had a full scholarship? If you would still consider going than you need to realize that these “requirements” you have already created are probably limiting some very good schools from your list. You can start expanding your list by taking one college you’re interested in and changing or removing a limiting characteristic to find similar schools. For example, say you are interested in big universities with finance majors in the northeast. Start by changing finance to business or economics in general. What schools does that add to your list? Or maybe keep the finance part but add the mid-west or change big to medium-sized. Ultimately, these new schools may not stay on your list. However, it’s more likely that you will discover possibilities that you hadn’t considered and revise the criteria for your list. Finance may still be critical but you might decide that there can be mitigating circumstances as far as size goes.
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April 8, 2021 — HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers
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Hofstra University:
requirements for prospective students hold steady How the admissions process has shifted at the Hempstead university
home hobbies on their transcript, like knitting or baking, to demonstrate he pandemic has that they’ve been active upended much amid the pandemic, of the educationFitzgibbon said. al structure, including colHofstra University, in lege admissions across the Hempstead, which offers country. Between the virroughly 160 undergradutual campus tours, digitalate programs, shifted their only interviews and testadmissions process almost optional enrollment, proentirely to digital last year. spective students may feel The virtual recruitment has overwhelmed by the appliallowed the college to cation process. expand their geographic For high school applireach. cants, concerns may stem “It means that a student from their resumes and in Idaho or Minnesota that academic transcripts. It has normally wouldn’t get a many asking, “Will the convisit from a Hofstra countent of my resume be subselor is now able to have stantial for recruiters after a that interaction,” year in shutdown? “ Fitzgibbon said. Claire Fitzgibbon, But not to worry, said Recruitment has also Director of undergraduate admissions, Claire Fitzgibbon, director been more personalized, Hofstra University of undergraduate admisshe explained. Compared sions at Hofstra University: colleges, including to years prior, the admissions team has schedHofstra, understand the circumstances. uled more appointments between staff and “I hear this concern from a lot of students,” financial aid counselors, faculty members, curFitzgibbon said. “We understand that extrarent students and more. curriculars don’t look the way they did a year However, requirements for prospective ago. We’re not expecting students to present students have held steady, Fitzgibbon said. the resume they had last year.” Hofstra continues to be SAT/ACT test-optional, Extracurriculars can be viewed as any and this year permitted test-optional students activity that keeps prospective students busy to apply to a wider variety of programs. outside of the classroom, said. This year, more “As we’re looking at transcripts … every students may be involved in a younger sibstudent has had a different academic environling’s online education, or household manment this past year, she said.“Being in contact agement, all which can be considered extrawith schools, counselors and students, we curriculars. understand that journey has been different. Some students may opt to put new atBut the end result of what we’re looking for By Kate Nalepinski
T
has stayed pretty consistent.” Since August 2020, Hosftra has been open for in-person, socially distanced campus tours, which will continue throughout 2021. Student instruction also changed at Hofstra: During the Fall and Spring 2020 semesters, the university operated under a hybrid model of learning. That shift is not exclusive to the Hempstead institution. In 2018, about 35 percent of undergraduate students took a distance-education course. As the pandemic forced the adoption of remote learning, that figure was closer to 100 percent in 2020, according to a report from McKinsey & Company. By this fall, Hofstra aims to be back to inperson instruction exclusively. At this time, some students continued to receive remote-only instruction, while many attended classes both in-person and remote. “Things are on a good trajectory, so as long as they continue that way, we will be fully in-person in the fall,” Fitzgibbon said. Right now, students continue to live on campus. Clubs and organizations are operational, mainly functioning online. In coming weeks, clubs will be offering in-person meeting opportunities. While it’s been full of challenges, the pandemic has helped Hofstra staff make improvements to the
admission process, Fitzgibbon said. “We’re going to keep at least some part of this virtual world,” she said. If you would’ve told a 17-year-old in January 2020 to hop a webinar, they would probably say, ‘What? What’s a webinar?’ But it works, and at least for the foreseeable future, we’re going to do that.” As higher education institutions begin the transition to a “new normal,” Fitzgibbon is looking forward to the return of Hofstra’s traditional, in-person learning environment. “Everything is different, and it’s going to continue to look different,” Fitzgibbon said. “None of us know what the “new normal” will look like – but we’re going to build it together.”
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of Aeronautics and Technology:
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ocated in New York City, Vaughn College is a private, nonprofit four-year college committed to providing its students with the excellent education and skills needed to achieve professional success in engineering, technology, management and aviation. The College offers master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree programs and fosters a culture of excellence in rigorous degree, professional, technical, and certification programs. Vaughn’s low 15:1 student/faculty ratio ensures that students benefit from a personalized learning environment. Vaughn’s curriculum, faculty and overall academic reputation once again earned it a place in U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 survey of the best regional colleges in the North. More than 99 percent of Vaughn graduates, 89 percent in their field of study, are employed or continue their education within one year of graduation. Vaughn remains committed to providing its students with a private college experience at a highly competitive tuition rate: 90 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. Vaughn College was ranked number one in upward mobility among 2,137 colleges according to a study reported in 2017 in The New York Times. This means
Vaughn is fulfilling its mission by moving students from the bottom 40 percent to the top 40 percent in income. Vaughn was also recently named a top college for your money by Money Magazine. Vaughn College is so confident that it prepares its graduates for employment that it is offers the Vaughn Guarantee for those who meet certain criteria.* A fully staffed career development office provides year-round opportunities for on-campus recruitment, employment and internships. New engineering labs showcase automation technology through robotic devices, and a new chemistry, and energy conversion and smart grid power system lab have been added. A $1-million flight simulator laboratory and partnerships with flight training institutions enable students to pursue Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight certifications and ratings. Vaughn’s current training program includes an air traffic control simulation laboratory that allows students to train on the same state-of-the-art equipment used by the FAA and aviation maintenance training where students can obtain their airframe and powerplant certification. The College’s residence hall features panoramic views of Manhattan and
HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers — April 8, 2021
Meet the Future
a staff eager to assist students in taking advantage of all that New York City has to offer. An array of clubs and organizations are available to students, including the Robotics Club, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Club, American Association of Airport Executives–Student Chapter, Women in Aviation, International and the Hispanic Society of Aeronautical Engineers. Students also have the opportunity to engage in internships with engineering, management and aviation-related companies such as United Technologies Corporation, NASA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This real-world experience helps students to explore career options as well as build expertise in their field of study. Find out if Vaughn is the right institution for you. Visit www.vaughn.edu, find us on Facebook and on Instagram @VaughnCollege, or email admitme @vaughn.edu or call 1-866-6VAUGHN. Vaughn looks forward to meeting you and supporting your pursuit of a futureproof education. *For eligible full-time students. See full details at Vaughn.edu
Meet the Future.
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April 8 6 p.m.
Niki ’19, Engineer Volvo Trucks Technology Who is “the future you” going to be? We’ll help you find out. Our graduates, like Niki, leave with more than just degrees. They leave with exciting, in-demand careers. We call it being futureproof. And we guarantee it.* REGISTER FOR OPEN HOUSE AT
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Admissions essays that get results
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Your essay should catch the attention of admissions personnel and show that you are a good fit
ADVERTORIAL
SAINT PAUL’S SCHOOL OF NURSING
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ince the beginning of the pandemic, nurses across the country and most importantly in the metro area, have been celebrated for their selfless commitment to caring for their patients. While the availability of vaccines is allowing our communities to emerge from quarantine into a “new normal,” the contributions of the nursing profession will continue to be celebrated. At Saint Paul’s School of Nursing, we have watched with pride as our graduates enter their chosen profession full of energy, optimism, and dedication. If you have considered pursuing a career in nursing, there is no better time than now! Nurses are vital members of our healthcare system and St. Paul’s School of Nursing is a nationally-accredited nursing school with convenient locations in Queens
and Staten Island. We deliver a comprehensive and thorough nursing education where you can earn your Associate Degree in Nursing so you can be qualified to sit for the licensure exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurses is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next 10 years, so now is a great time to get started on your educational path toward a nursing career! Nursing offers flexibility, the opportunity to specialize and is considered is one of today’s most rewarding and fulfilling professions. Saint Paul’s School of Nursing can provide you with the education and skills it will take to begin a successful career as a nurse. Call today to learn more.
Everyone would love to land a spot at their dream college. You have your grades, your activities and, up until the pandemic upended our world, your test scores. But there is still one last hurdle to jump on your way in — the college admissions essay. You’ll want an essay that catches the eye of the admissions committee and demonstrates you’ll be a good fit for the school. A good topic you are passionate about will translate into a great essay. Choose a topic that you both care about and know well. If you already have one in mind, great! Go ahead and start your research. However, most of you will need to take some time to reflect on many potential topics you have to choose from. One suggestion is to follow the approach taken by students crafting their UPenn supplemental essays, where a student considers his/ her intellectual capabilities and academic interests while choosing a topic. For many, it might be smart to choose a topic you have written about before so you are starting in your comfort zone. If you have a strong sense of what you want to study, select a topic that is related to your career and communicate your passion for the field. If the prompt is open ending, try to choose an interesting topic, one that is inspiring, insightful, and reasonably funny so that you can engage your audience accordingly. The admissions committee reviews thousands of applications and you want your essay to grab their attention.
AIM HIGHER BECOME AN RN
Hook Your Audience The admissions committee reviews thousands of applications and you want your essay to grab their attention. They need to be inspired and excited by your essay so they are looking forward to reading it to the very end. Design a good introduction to reel in your reader from the first paragraph. Given the number of applications, the first impression of your essay matters. If you lose your audience on the first sentence, you risk them tuning out by the next sentence, let alone carefully reading the entire essay. An engaging hook will leave your audience waiting to read every next sentence and eager to get to the end.
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Set The Pace One approach is to start your essay in the middle of a critical scene using very descriptive language and dialogue. Make your readers feel as though they are watching a film from your essay and the film is just at its peak. This is a good way to attract more attention and make your readers want to know both how you got into this situation and how it ends. After you’ve closed the scene, let the readers in on the plot to help them understand the relevance to the essay. For example, anecdote is often a great way to catch the readers’ attention as well as a good way to set the pace for your essay. Were you successful as a student athlete? Then set them up a critical play in a memorable game and segue into what that sport means for who you are today. Was there a challenge in your personal life that deeply affected you? This can start the story of who you were as a student and who you hope to become. Or you could be explaining how you developed a particular skill set that will be relevant to the field you want to pursue. This could
be a dramatic series of events that sets your reader on edge or a slow build up that talks about the person you will be as a student at their school. But the tone and pacing of your essay will from this introduction. Ask Questions Asking questions at the beginning your essay is a good strategy to involve your audience and let have them think in parallel about how they would answer the question while you reading about what you did. You are challenging your readers to invoke their critical thinking just as they observe yours. Be strategic and ask the right questions that will have the readers thinking about it even a few days later. That kind of memorable essay is likely to come up in an admissions committee meeting. Your college essay can be the last key to unlocking the door to your college of choice. It is a chance for you to communicate who you are, what your passions are, what drives you and anything else that is useful for the admissions committee to know about you. And it is unfiltered and in your words. To get started with your essay, therefore, choose a catchy and exciting topic that you feel comfortable to write about. It has to speak to who you are as a person, as a student and what would make you stand out as a member of that school’s community. Create an essay outline to help you organize your essay and not get bogged down in one section. Remember to hook your audience at the start so they are reading every word with eagerness. Integrate your personal experiences in your own voice. You are selling yourself to the school with earnestness and hopefully humility. Think about how you want to set the pace for the readers and hold them through your essay to the end. Avoid choosing common, predictable essay topics. Colleges receive thousands of applicants and you want to stand out in that crowd and explain who you are and want you would bring as a member of that school’s community. Above photo: There’s no need to sweat this part of the process, but do be prepared with a good topic and concise writing.
Adelphi sees record-breaking number
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HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers — April 8, 2021
of first-year applicants in fall 2021
Digital-first admissions helps prospective students to ‘take ownership’ of application process By Kate Nalepinski
For more information, visit www.adelphi.edu/admissions/contact/.
Small Classes. Big Opportunities. Transfer to Adelphi. Personalized attention. Classes that average 21 students. World-class faculty. Dedication to helping students succeed. And we make it easy to transfer to Adelphi. Seamless application process Generous credit transfer policy Valuable scholarships and financial aid Award-winning career guidance Successful career outcomes Tuesdays are for transfers. Register for an upcoming Virtual Transfer Admission Day. Every Tuesday from May 11, 2021, to August 10, 2021 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET Register today for a 1:1 appointment: adelphi.edu/herald
Average annual salary of our 2019 baccalaureate graduates
$75,000
—that’s 38% higher than the national average salary Source: Adelphi University Career Outcomes Survey: Class of 2019
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everal colleges saw a decline in the number of applicants this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But the same can’t be said for Adelphi University. The first private, coeducational university on Long Island has seen a record-breaking 15,000plus freshman applications for the fall 2021 semester – and applications continue to roll in, Stephanie Espina, director of undergraduate admissions said. Adelphi, which offers over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs throughout its eight schools and campuses, pivoted its admissions process last year amid the pandemic. “We had to make the digital experience just as engaging as an in-person experience without losing that personal factor,” Espina said. The spike in applications may be related to the university’s modified standardized testing regulations, which also applies to prospective students this upcoming year. Like many other schools, Adelphi in Fall 2021 introduced an optional SAT/ACT test policy. The Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters will also be test-optional at Adelphi. The institution did its part in “keeping things authentic,” Espina said. Whether it was scheduling virtual appointments with families and counselors or converting large-scale events to
digital, the staff got creative. These digital-focused experiences and admissions process have mostly remained, Espina said. For example, this semester students could be provided with a live virtual tour of the campus by a student ambassador. While it’s come with its fair share of challenges, Espina said, the mainly virtual admissions process has allowed students to “take ownership” of their application. “Because of the virtual landscape, we’re a bit more flexible with scheduling, and it’s more commonplace for admission counselors to schedule an appointment,” Espina explained. “Students want to feel just as connected as they would in-person, and as a university, we’re doing our very best to foster that.” So, how can applicants make their application noticeable to Adelphi’s admissions team? “What stands out to me is when students take initiative to schedule a virtual appointment, or they engage in virtual events,” Espina said. In these times of financial uncertainty, Espina advised that university faculty are actively working to educate applicants on financial aid and scholarships to demonstrate that the private institution can still be feasible.
April 8, 2021 — HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers
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Stand out from the pack
Setting yourself apart from other students during the application process to crucial to your success Every year, more than two million high school graduates apply to college. With so many students vying for a limited number of spots, it is crucial to find ways to shine. The college application is the means by which applicants introduce themselves to schools, but applying to college involves so much more. It begins well before students submit their materials and involves many intangibles. With so much competition out there, admissions decisions often ride on the tiniest distinctions. This has caused a great deal of anxiety among high school students (and their parents), though alongside that stress there are some very real opportunities to be seized. Students can distinguish themselves by starting early, becoming informed about the nuances of the college application process, and taking some basic but important steps. Show each college the love Colleges don’t just want your application, they seek evidence of your genuine interest in their school. Admissions offices are tracking applicants before their applications arrive. They routinely capture and analyze data to target students who have “demonstrated interest,” helping to ensure that the students they accept are most likely to attend their school. This boosts their yield, which, in turn, helps their ranking. Schools watch who is searching for them online, who is following them on social media, and (pre-pandemic) who is visiting them inperson for on-campus tours. Again, colleges want to invest in students who are genuinely interested. There are various ways to demonstrate that interest in the schools on your list. Make sure to do your homework by visiting colleges’ websites, talking with alumni, communicating directly with admissions offices, and doing a virtual tour. You can reach out to the regional admissions representative for each college to which you are applying. Introduce yourself, tell them why you’re interested in their school, stay in touch, and update them on any achievements that come after you’ve submitted your application. “Showing the love” to potential schools might just give you the leg-up you need. Colleges pay attention to social media For better or worse, social media is an integral part of 21st century life. Students keep up with friends through Instagram, Snapchat, etc. We are more connected than ever–which also means that we give the world access to some of our most private moments and our innermost thoughts. It is important to curate your social media, particularly those posts that are or could become public. Be authentic and be honest, but make sure to put your best foot forward. Just as potential employers often look into the social media presence of job applicants, colleges might look into students’ social media before accepting them into their college. Prior to applying, make sure to clean up your accounts, deleting any post, tweet or image that may raise a red flag. Also check your social media settings to control who can and cannot see certain posts. You do not have to keep your profile private, but make sure that when strangers view your Instagram profile, for example, they only see what you want them to see. Thirdly, even after you have been accepted to your dream school, keep your profile clean. In 2017, Harvard rescinded admissions to 10 students after they posted offensive Facebook memes. After working so hard to get accepted, do yourself a favor
the National Honors Society, make sure to include that. You do not want to pad your resume (keep it to one page) but this is an essential component of your application, providing colleges with an overview of your interests, activities, and accomplishments. Don’t skimp here!
and use social media responsibly. Keep your resume up-to-date It may seem like a hassle to log all of your various activities throughout high school, but it is important to take note of them while they’re fresh in your mind. It’s always harder to remember important or intriguing details later. If you
play sports, for example, keep track of any conference recognitions or noteworthy wins. Participated in the spring musical? Document that. Are you a musician or involved in community service? Write those down as well. Include any part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering you have done. If you receive an award or are inducted into
Challenge yourself academically Many parents think that it is better for students to receive straight As on their report cards than to take a rigorous course-load. Whereas good grades are certainly important, it is also vital that you push yourself academically. What this looks like can vary depending on a student’s academic level, but all students can show evidence of challenging themselves. If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual-enrollment college courses, take advantages of these upper-level classes when possible and if appropriate. Honors (or Accelerated or Advanced) courses are also very helpful in this regard. College admissions will take your grade point average into account, but they will also be looking at at the sorts of coursework you have completed in the past four years, looking for signs of rigor. A grade of B in AP Chemistry will be more impressive than an A in regular Chemistry. Taking rigorous classes demonstrates to colleges that you are pushing yourself on a higher level academically. Nurture your passions Are you an editor of your school newspaper? Have you studied violin seriously since you were in elementary school? Do you like volunteering at a local senior citizen center or community garden? Nurture your passions and abilities through extracurricular activities. Colleges and universities want to see that prospective students are active and productive members of their community. Evidence of this can include community service, part-time jobs, or volunteering for organizations. And the more initiative and leadership you can show, the better. If your school does not offer drama but you have always been interested in acting or directing, get involved with your local theater. If you want to go into a health care profession, find opportunities at a hospital. When you seek opportunities outside of school, you not only foster your own growth, but benefit the greater community. Above all, be authentic. Colleges look for sustained, focused, genuine commitment. Remember: the college admissions process has changed dramatically in recent years, becoming more competitive and more complicated–and more stressful. Schools are looking for students who stand out from the pack, who have developed their passions in authentic ways, showing initiative and leadership while challenging themselves both inside and outside of the classroom. Colleges are also seeking applicants who seem most likely to attend their school. You can set yourself up for success by staying on top of the process, understanding how it works, and being proactive. College admissions offices are flooded with thousands of worthy applicants every year, and they will look closely at each applicant before deciding whether or not he or she is a fit for their school. It is up to you to show them your potential and make the case for why you would be a perfect match for their school.. Above photo: A stellar application showcases your interest in the college, your skills, and what you can bring to the table as an incoming student.
Landmark College
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HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers — April 8, 2021
guides students who learn differently
Where other colleges struggled to adapt during Covid-19, Landmark was well prepared
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olleges and universities across the country were forced to shift to online-only learning models this past year to educate students in a safe manner during the pandemic. This modified method of learning may be intimidating to prospective college students, especially those with learning disabilities who prefer in-person instruction. “For students with learning differences, their challenges don’t disappear once they step foot outside of the classroom. They are with them in the dining hall, the library, on the playing field, in a residence hall and everywhere else,” Landmark College’s vice president for enrollment management, Kevin M.R. Mayne, said. Landmark College, a private college in Putney, Vt., is exclusively for those diagnosed with learning disabilities, including attention disorders and autism. Mayne said that the college community recognizes the challenges of students with learning disabilities and how they’ve been exacerbated for some due to the coronavirus. Where other universities may have struggled to adapt to online instruction, Mayne said, Landmark had already been delivering learning disability-focused online instruction for
many years through its Dual Enrollment Program. “When Covid hit, we were able to pivot and utilize these unique ways of teaching to a virtual environment,” Mayne said. Now, Landmark is offering its students coursework on-campus and online. Virtual clubs, activities, recreation and other aspects of “typical” college life are still part of the Landmark College experience, Mayne said, despite the pandemic. The Vermont college has adapted to the pandemic by conducting interviews and campus tours virtually. Open Houses translated well to a virtual environment, Mayne said: demo classes were still provided by faculty, and panels from students and staff continued. Landmark, which this year saw an increase in spring and fall applications, also offers a program for students who require additional support between high school and college. The Transition at College program is similar to a post-grad or gap year, Mayne said: “For many students who have had their high school junior or senior year interrupted, they … feel there may be some gaps in their learning,” he said. The TaP Program can accommodate those in need, particularly after a year learning through a pandemic. “I’m proud to say that we aren’t just adapting to a virtual world, but we are thriving in it,” Mayne said.
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By Kate Nalepinski
DISCOVER
YOU @HOFSTRA Shape your own educational and career path at a nationally ranked university in the heart of Nassau County, NY. • Hofstra’s 165 undergraduate programs in arts and science, business, communication, engineering and applied science, and health care will give you an edge when it comes to your college career. • Connect with the real world through experiential learning. • Participate in service projects that give back to the community. • Work in cutting-edge facilities and research labs.
Visit us in-person or virtually this spring! Learn more at hofstra.edu/visit 1126084
April 8, 2021 — HIGHER EDUCATION - Herald Community Newspapers
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